Reel Recommendation

[ak6388]

Hey all, I was hoping everyone might be able to help me with a reel recommendation. I currently have an SLX 70 MGL on my jerkbait rod and it’s just too small for my giant hands when palming and working the rod. It’s fine if I’m just reeling in but working a jerkbait for any prolonged period of time is no fun due to the ergonomics. 
 

Im a Daiwa guy most of the time and was looking at an Alphas due to the exchange rates right now but was hoping someone that had some experience using both could chime in. Open to other recommendations as well!

 

[Eric 26]

If I’m not mistaken the Alphas has the same frame as the Tatula 80 which I own along with a SLX 71 MGL and if you feel the Shimano is too small you’ll hate the Alphas. I have short fat fingers and I myself love my Tatula 80 but in your case I would suggest maybe the new Tatula 100 or even a Tatula 150, either way you should be able to handle both at a tackle shop or better yet a BPS if there’s one near you. Best of luck and keep us posted on your purchase.

[FryDog62]

These are all personal preference things, but since you are a Daiwa guy, consider the Tatula Elite. 
 

A couple years ago, I had 2 reels I used for jerk baits and buzzbaits. One was a Curado 70 and the other was an Alphas SV. I grew to really dislike them because it was so difficult to cast lighter, high profile lures like a jerkbait a buzzer far or smoothly. I had elbow tendinitis at the time and it got to the point where I didn’t even use a jerkbait or topwater at all. 
 

So I tested 5 different potential replacement reels to see which I could get best casting performance. I tried out 3 different Shimano MGL spool reels, a Daiwa Zillion and a Tatula Elite. The worst was the SV spool followed by the MGL’s. The Tatula Elite easily out-distanced them all. And it was a smooth, easy casting motion. 
 

The Tatula Elite may or may not fit your palm, but I have big hands too and I never think about the ergonomics of it, which means it must be a pretty good fit for my hands at least. 

[FishTank]

The Alphas is also a small reel. It's about the size of the SLX. If you want a full sized reel from Daiwa, you might look at the Steez A II. It's close in size to the old school Curado 200s. The Steez is a great reel and a work horse. The Zillion would also be a good one but it is smaller in size than the Steez.

[Bigbox99]

A Tatula 150 might be to your liking.  Here is my Tatula Type R (same reel as the Tatula 150) and Tatula 80 (same size as the Alphas SV TW).  The Tatula is wider and taller.  The mag dial can rub your finger raw if you jerk with your pointer finger extended to the rod blank.  With this reel you want to wrap that finger under the reel seat or if you palm with only 2 fingers in front of the trigger it's a non issue.

[5by3]

Could try the new slx xt 150. I have large hands and just picked up one of these and it feels great! Got mine on sale for $100.

[casts_by_fly]

What price point?  For $215 get the zillion. 

[MediumMouthBass]

The SLX XT, SLX, and MGL 70 SLX are all the same size, not sure if the new "A" models are different frames but i thought they only added small things to update them.

 

The Tatula CT, SV TW, and Fuego. Along with most Lews reels feel the same size in hand.

 

The Tatula 150 is the only bigger sized modern reel i have, its probably the size you are looking for.

 

Oh and the Zillion is even smaller, i prefer the size of the SLX's and Tatula CT's. I hate using the Zillion, for many reasons. One of which is its small size.

 

[T2DM]

I always liked my Chronarch MGL for jerk bait fishing specially during the cold months due to its CI4 construction but at the same time kind of hate it due to its size, I've always thought about guys with big hands would love the reel for winter jerk bait fishing but the price of it, not so much.

[webertime]

Zillion G

Or

Find an OG Steez 

[Brian11719]

I only own one and wouldn't use it for everything, but I actually like the Lew's 7.5 KVD for the reel on my jerkbait rod. It's not too big but seems to do a bit better with lures in the 3/8-5/8oz range and I think the brake system works well for this type of thing.

[ak6388]

Wow thanks everyone for the replies, definitely why I love coming to this site! I swapped over on of my right handed fuegos real quick and it’s definitely more comfortable size wise even though it’s only slightly bigger. Moving the MGL reel over to my smaller cranking rod as I do like the way it casts and performs, just couldn’t get over working a bait continuously while palming the reel. 
 

I plan on picking up one of the new Tatulas next month for a different combo. Will compare that with a 150 size Tatula for jerkbait combo while in at the local tackle place. 
 

Disappointing on the size of the zillion reel comments. I guess I never really noticed it while handling it not attached to a rod and definitely glad everyone chimed in on the alphas size before ordering one from overseas. I’d love a Steez but the pocketbook might not lol!

[ABU is overpriced]

Alphas and Zillion are the two killer reels to buy from Japan. Nothing beats these for their current price, and i'd argue nothing is even close. Even tho the Alphas is not a finness reel, i wouldn't use it to flip, so if you need it for lighter stuff like jerkbaits, etc, its a good option, and if you need it for deep cranks, fishing in the grass, etc, the Zillion is perfect for that.

[Big Hands]

Interesting. . . My hands are a glove size 11-12. The hand I palm my reel with is 10-1/4" from thumb tip to pinky tip, and the SLX 70 MGL is the exact reel I have on my jerkbait rod. 

 

Bottom line is to use what feels good and works.